NC Renewable Energy Challenge
2025 North Carolina Renewable Energy Challenge
March 22, 2025
With funding from the North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program and in partnership with KidWind and Jennette’s Pier, the Coastal Studies Institute (CSI) hosts the day-long North Carolina Renewable Energy Challenge annually on the ECU Outer Banks Campus in Wanchese. Competing students must engineer an alternative energy device and compete against each other to create the most efficient design. The challenge strives to increase student interest in green technology and promote innovation, and it fosters 21st-century skills that better prepare students for the growing renewable energy industry.
This year’s event will include wind and underwater turbine competitions with upper elementary & middle (grades 4-8), and high school (grades 9-12) divisions for each. The competition aims to increase engineering solutions for the alternative energies available in North Carolina. Funding is available for basic competition materials and for travel to CSI. If teams wish to have funding for either, please contact Parker Murphy and John McCord.
The winning teams will receive cash prizes, and the top team(s) in each wind division will be invited to the World KidWind competition held in May 2025.
Interested in learning more before forming a team?
Plan to join us for one of our upcoming info sessions on Oct. 17, 2024, or Jan. 16, 2025, starting at 4 PM. More information will be available soon.
In the meantime, check out the resources below from last year’s event!
Additional Information & Rulebooks
A brief presentation for teachers, parents, and students interested in competing in the 2024 North Carolina Renewable Energy Challenge.
2024 Rulebooks. Updated Rulebooks for the 2025 Challenge coming soon.
Based at the Coastal Studies Institute (CSI), the North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program (NCROEP) advances inter-disciplinary marine energy solutions across UNC System partner colleges of engineering at NC State University, UNC Charlotte, and NC A&T University. Click on the links below for more information.
ECU's Integrated Coastal Programs (ECU ICP) is a leader in coastal and marine research, education, and engagement. ECU ICP includes the Coastal Studies Institute, ECU's Department of Coastal Studies, and ECU Diving and Water Safety.
The ECU Outer Banks campus is home to the Coastal Studies Institute.
